Reasons for Designation
The most complete and extensive survival of chalk downland archaeological
remains in central southern England occurs on Salisbury Plain, particularly in
those areas lying within the Salisbury Plain Training Area. These remains
represent one of the few extant archaeological "landscapes" in Britain and are
considered to be of special significance because they differ in character from
those in other areas with comparable levels of preservation. Individual sites
on Salisbury Plain are seen as being additionally important because the
evidence of their direct association with each other survives so well.
Boundary earthworks which include linear earthworks, so called ranch
boundaries, dykes and cross ridge dykes are particularly well preserved in the
Salisbury Plain Training Area. They provide important evidence of prehistoric
landholdings, land reorganisation and changing agricultural practices through
time.
Details
Two lengths of bank and ditch boundary earthworks meeting at right angles. The
earthworks are part of an extensive system of boundary features, although
their precise relationship is unknown.
1 - A boundary feature running north-west/south-east for c.270m. The ditch is
c.8m wide and there is a counterscarp bank on the north-east. This may be part
of the "Long Ditch", sections of which remain extant to the north-west and
south-east.
2 - A ditch running south-west/north-east following countour around the steep
face of a combe. The ditch averages 6m wide and has a weak counterscarp bank.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
10034
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Other
Legal
This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
End of official list entry
